For Immediate Release: 10/14/2009

Alternatives, Inc. Launches New Center Targeting Employment Opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community

Alternatives, Inc. has opened a new center designed to improve the quality of life and employment opportunities for many of New Jersey’s 800,000 people with varying degrees of hearing loss.

The Bridges to Employment Career Development Center (CDC) at 600 First Avenue provides people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing with a wide range of vocational assessment, employment training, placement, job coaching and support services. The Career Development Center was established through a major grant from the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), the first such facility funded by DVRS in Central Jersey and currently only one of three funded centers statewide.

“People with hearing loss often face great challenges in finding and retaining employment, particularly in the current economic environment,” said Nancy Good, President of Alternatives, a non-profit social service agency for those with a wide range of special needs. “There is great uncertainty among both job seekers and employers when it comes to creating effective workplace opportunities. Through this new program, Alternatives is confident that we will open up new doors for both those with hearing loss and employers.”

The Career Development Center is administered by Bridges to Employment, a division of Alternatives that provides comprehensive career services. Services through the CDC are available to residents of Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

“Our goal is to provide people with the resources and tools necessary to find and maintain successful employment,” said Glori Bine-Callagy, Director of Bridges to Employment. “We have helped hundreds of people with barriers to employment lead more fulfilling lives as a result of our services and that is our goal. At the same time, we are committed to helping companies large and small satisfy their business needs.”

The Career Development Center offers support groups, seminars and workshops related to employment. Bridges to Employment is available to provide short and long term job coaching and additional employment supports for people with a wide range of special needs. The Career Development Center also houses one of the five Demonstration Centers in the state for the Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH). Demonstrations on Assistive Technology can be arranged by appointment only.

For more information about the Career Development Center, contact Alyse Betso, Manager of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, at 908-685-1444 ext. 284/VP: (908) 458-9204 or by going to the website at www.bridgestoemployment.com . Based in Raritan, Alternatives provides residential, employment, and support services for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness and other special needs. For information on Alternatives, please call 908-685-1444 or visit www.alternativesinc.org.
Back to Press Releases